INCORPORATED 1939
GALIFORNIA
MINUTES OF THE MARCH 10, 2026
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CALIFORNIA
CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Kemps.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Kemps.
ROLL CALL - The Roll call was conducted by City Clerk Cook.
PRESENT: Mayor Kemps, Mayor Pro Tem Lazzaro, Councilmember McGowan Councilmember Quinn, and Councilmember Lozzi.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Kallman, Deputy City Manager Gabriel, City Attorney Rusin, Chief Hellinga, City Clerk, Cook, City Treasurer, Petersen, Community Development Director Brady, Public Works Director Antillon, and Senior Accountant Hayes.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Kemps called for the approval of the agenda. There being no changes, the following motion was presented.
ACTION: Councilmember Lozzi and seconded by Councilmember Quinn to approve the agenda.
AYES: McGowan, Quinn, Lozzi, Lazzaro and Kemps
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 10, 2026
MAYOR'S REPORT - MATTERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
Mayor Kemps remarked that this is an exciting time for the community, both in light of the last meeting and in anticipation of the months ahead. Following his remarks, he called for the City Manager's Report.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Kerry Kallman opened his report by describing the City's renewed collaboration with the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Services on the updated emergency-evacuation platform, Genesis. He highlighted that staff now holds greater authority to adjust evacuation zones than previously understood, which will improve readiness and communication during emergencies. The City Manager also explained the reorganization of the upcoming e-waste/shredding event to Palos Verdes High School due to unexpected site constraints, noting that combining it with a compost-pickup event will benefit residents. He then reviewed several recent financial-controls improvements delivered by LSL, the City's contracted financial services provider, and emphasized that despite recent staff turnover, these improvements are strengthening the City's financial stability.
Chief of Police Luke Hellinga presented encouraging crime statistics, including the rare milestone of zero burglaries in both January and February. He noted notable decreases in property crimes, crimes against persons, and forgery incidents. Dispatch standards remain exceptionally high, with nearly all 911 calls answered within 10 seconds. While proactive policing is strong, Chief Hellinga reported a rise in traffic collisions, some involving DUl or fleeing suspects. He acknowledged ongoing concerns from both staff and the Council regarding unsafe driving, particularly around Palos Verdes High School, and described current enforcement efforts, equipment upgrades, and the pending rollout of a dedicated motorcycle officer.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
John Williams spoke about the need for stronger long-range financial planning and urged the City to more clearly articulate its infrastructure strategy. He addressed delays in City Hall repairs and advocated for more structured fiscal approaches.
Raji Ju, Neighborhood Watch Volunteer, provided a community-oriented perspective, celebrating the success of "Street Meets" between residents and police officers and reminding the public to update exterior light timers following Daylight Savings.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 10, 2026
CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 1-5)
Mayor Kemps called for the approval of the consent agenda. There being no changes, the Consent Calendar was approved unanimously.
ACTION: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lazzaro and seconded by Councilmember Quinn.
AYES: McGowan, Quinn, Lozzi, Lazzaro and Kemps
NOES: None
ABSENT: ( None
ABSTAIN: None
1. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
Reviewed and approved March 10, 2026, Warrant Register.
2. RECEIVE AND FILE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE MONTH ENDING JANUARY 31, 2026
Received and filed financial statements for the months January 31, 2026.
3. CITY COUNCIL MEETING ACTIONS
Aerined the minutes for the February 24, 2026, Regular City Council
4. INVESTMENT POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING ACTIONS Approved the minutes for the Investment Policy Advisory Committe leetina of February 11. 2026
5. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 771
Waived second reading and adopted Ordinance No. 771, amending and adding municipal code sections (chapters 8.56, 8.60, 8.64, and 12.24) related to fireworks, smoking, disorderly conduct, and unlawful camping to improve fire safety and find the same exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
NEW BUSINESS
6. DISCUSSION OF FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 PRELIMINARY BUDGET
DEVELOPMENT
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 10, 2026
Deputy City Manager George Gabriel and Consultant Noah Daniels outlined modest revenue growth, including increases in property tax, Measure E, and vehicle license fees. However, they underscored the City's growing financial pressures: rising personnel costs, higher CaPERS liability payments, and significant projected increases in CJPIA insurance premiums.
The Council inquired whether the City should explore alternatives to CJPIA and urged staff to develop long-term contract strategies, including potential in-house engineering services. A major discussion centered on the City's chronically underfunded tree-trimming program, which is currently only meeting minimum safety requirements compared to similarly sized cities. Councilmembers remarked on the City's overall organizational strain, underscoring that numerous departments are operating well beyond sustainable staffing levels.
ACTION: By consensus, the Council directed staff to develop a needs-based budget and to outline any unfunded priorities and related risks.
7. RECEIVE AND FILE A DELIVERABLE OF THE 2026 CITYWIDE STORM DRAIN
MASTER PLAN (SDMP) - DRAFT CONDITION ASSESSMENT AND
MAINTENANCE, REHABILITATION, AND REPLACEMENT PLAN
Public Works Director Oscar Antillon and consultants from Wood Rodgers presented the preliminary storm drain condition assessment, the City's first major review since 1993. They shared inspection results for 229 pipe segments, including five requiring immediate repair and fourteen classified as intermediate risk. The assessment identified aging infrastructure, sediment buildup, and in some cases structural deformation, with recommended repairs estimated at roughly $2.8 million.
John Williams addressed the Council on this item, expressing concerns about the level of detail in the City's current GIS data. He recommended enhancing both the clarity of the GIS information and its supporting documentation to improve public transparency and usability. He also noted that, because the Malaga Cove remediation needs involve a French drain, there may be alternative solutions that are less costly and should be considered.
Councilmembers expressed concern about the partial nature of the inspection and the possibility of additional failures in unassessed areas. The Council also inquired if emergency infrastructure failures are substantially more expensive than planned repairs.
Consultants and staff responded that inspections were prioritized in the highest-risk areas, determined by factors such as material type (particularly CMP), system age, and location. They noted that conducting a full system video inspection would be valuable in future phases but is currently cost-prohibitive.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 10, 2026
Staff also reported that the City's GIS database is being expanded using historic as-built plans that were recently discovered. Thereafter, Director Antillon emphasized that emergency failures can cost several times more than proactive repairs, citing the Lucera Circle incident as a cautionary example. He also briefed the Council on stormwater regulatory requirements. The Public Works Director described longstanding groundwater intrusion issues at Malaga Cove affecting City Hall and neighboring structures, with conceptual solutions estimated at around $6 million but currently lacking design funding. He then outlined the Boundary Trail Stormwater Retention Project, which is needed for compliance with Regional Water Quality Control Board mandates. Construction could exceed $7 million in its first phase, and although the City is currently paying fines, regulators expect concrete progress through a forthcoming Time Schedule Order.
Cynthia Butler addressed the Council and noted that this is the first storm drain master plan prepared since 1993. She also commented on the Malaga Cove water intrusion analysis, stating that the recent Geosyntec study provided information that had not been previously available. Ms. Butler remarked that the stormwater report represents an initial step, but that additional work is still needed. She requested that the City provide projected costs associated with deferred maintenance on the storm drain system. She also asked whether the City has the capacity to pursue fundraising opportunities or whether it might benefit from engaging a lobbyist or grant writer.
Councilmembers discussed the financial impacts of the compliance requirements and noted concerns about the long-term feasibility of continuing to pay fines. The Council requested that the final plan clearly and fully reflect all underlying assumptions and needs, including clarification on the remaining uninspected portions of the system, the projected long-term replacement cost, the prioritization methodology, and the City's approach to future inspection cycles. Following deliberation, the Council took the following action.
ACTION: By consensus, the Council received and filed the report.
8. FIRST AMENDMENT TO CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT City Attorney Rusin presented a proposed amendment to City Manager Kallman employment agreement, citing his effective leadership, contributions to organizational improvement, and commitment to the community. The Council unanimously approved a 5% salary increase, a one-time $10,000 bonus, and adjustments to his vacation-carryover policy. Mr. Kallman read a personal statement thanking his family and also expressed his gratitude to the Council for its support and for the opportunity to serve the City.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 10, 2026
ACTION: Moved by Councilmember McGowan, seconded by Councilmember _ozzi, to adopt the item. (A triendly amendment by Councilmembe _ozzi-to authorize the Mavor to sign the first amendment to the employment agreement—was accepted by the maker of the motion).
AYES: McGowan, Quinn, Lozzi, Lazzaro and Kemps
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Quinn reported that he attended the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce meeting, where staff from the Palos Verdes Library District provided information about the District's upcoming Passport Fair on March 22, 2026. He encouraged residents to visit the PVLD website for additional details.
Councilmember Lozzi noted that she and Mayor Kemp serve on the Board of Directors for PV Transit. She shared that many households recently received a flyer highlighting the Dial-A-Ride service, which provides transportation support for seniors and continues to be a valuable resource for the community. She requested that information about the service be included in a future City newsletter. For future agenda items, she requested updates on the City's Pavement Management Plan and Tree Inventory.
Mayor Kemps reported that he attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the façade improvements at the Peninsula Center Library. He commented that the event was very well done and noted the project's design was the contribution of a PVE Planning Commissioner Carolbeth Cozen.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:34 p.m. to Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
RESPECTFULLY submitted: APPROVED:
Ola
amela. Coole
Tameka J. Cook, City Cler Michael Kemps, Mayor
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 10, 2026